Wisconsin Effigy Mounds
Errata
LETTERS TO FAAM
Wisconsin Effigy Mounds
JUST THIS AFTERNOON I came across your article , “ Those Who Are Above , Those Who Are on Earth : Effigy Mounds of Southern Wisconsin ” in First American Art Magazine Issue No . 10 , Spring 2016 . Thank you for a well-written article on the effigy mounds and particularly for highlighting the Man Mound , for which I am fortunate enough to serve as the volunteer caretaker . Your article helps us appreciate effigy mounds as works of art . I remember the time when you , Linda Lomahaftewa , George Hushi Greendeer , and Bill Quackenbush came by the Man Mound to experience it . I am sorry I missed this article when it first came out , but I am very glad to have now seen it .
A few developments at the Man Mound might interest you . Most recently , the National Park Service and Secretary of the Department of the Interior designated the Man Mound as a National Historic Landmark . This is the first effigy mound from the Effigy Mound Culture of southern Wisconsin to have been so designated . While more than 50 effigy mounds and mound groups have been listed on the more general National Register of Historic Places , the National Historic Landmark status recognizes the Man Mound having national significance in preserving and interpreting the history and culture of this country . It is hoped that this designation can highlight all effigy mounds while encouraging their preservation and appropriate care . As my friend Amy Rosebrough , Wisconsin ’ s assistant state archaeologist and the person who did most of the work toward the National Historic Landmark nomination , has said , we hope that the Man Mound with its iconic form and status can serve as an ambassador for all effigy mounds .
We added a new public event this past year : The Art of the Man Mound . In the mid-1800s , early government land surveyors in the Midwestern states were instructed to record “ ancient works of art .” This was based on the knowledge of large , geometric earthworks of southern Ohio and was written before any European records of the effigy mounds in Wisconsin . Effigy mounds are undoubtedly burial and sacred sites , ceremonial places , and cultural landmarks , but the phrase “ ancient works of art ” to describe these spectacular creations has always fascinated me . An increasing number of artists depict effigy mounds in paintings , photographs , and woodcarvings , as well as prose and poetry , so I wanted to highlight this continuing connection of art to the effigy mounds . Our first Art of the Man Mound day went well , and I expect to have another one this summer .
The Little Eagle Arts Foundation ( LEAF ), a new organization for artists in this area , opened the Native Presence Art Gallery . Its founding director Melanie Tallmadge Sainz is a talented Ho-Chunk artist . LEAF ’ s website is littleeagleartsfoundation . com , and its Facebook page is facebook . com / littleeaglearts .
Finally , protecting effigy mounds under Wisconsin law , as you noted in the Precontact Sites section of “ Recent Developments ,” remains an ongoing challenge . Although the terrible legislation proposed in late 2015 was tabled , a legislative advisory committee was established with the charge of changing the current protection law . Fortunately , several of the committee members , including the Ho-Chunk Nation ’ s Bill Quackenbush , have done a good job in patiently explaining the cultural significance of the effigy mounds to the development-focused interests and are working toward strengthening the law rather than weakening it . I am quite concerned at what will happen when the actual legislature takes up this matter in the coming year .
Thank you again for your great article on the effigy mounds and these “ ancient works of art ,” as well as for the wonderful work that you do with First American Art Magazine . Should your travels bring you back to Wisconsin , I ’ d be glad to host you for another visit to the Man Mound . Rob Nurre Baraboo , Wisconsin
Thank you , Rob Nurre , for your tireless efforts to engage new audiences with the effigy mounds . You ’ ve created incredibly novel ways to promote Man Mound . I was thoroughly impressed by the widespread interest and pride that Wisconsinites took in their local earthworks and hope to visit your beautiful state again for the Woodland Indian Art Show and Market this summer .
— America Meredith
We welcome your letters to the editor ! If we print your letter , we will send you a free copy of that issue of the magazine . Please email your letters to us at : info @ firstamericanartmagazine . com or mail letters to : First American Art Magazine , Attention : Editor 133 24th Avenue NW # 126 Norman , OK 73069
Errata
IN THE TABLE OF CONTENTS of FAAM No . 13 , Winter 2016 / 17 , Martina Dawley , not Dawn Biddison , should have been listed as being Hualapai-Diné . Dawley also has a doctoral degree in American Indian studies from University of Arizona . The photo of Arysteides Ikuaikikiña Turpana ( Guna ) on page 87 of No . 13 should have been credited to Duiren Wagua ( Guna ). More of Wagua ’ s photography can be seen online at duirenlopez . jimdo . com .
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